How to Work as a Doctor in the UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi): Eligibility & Step-by-Step Guide

“Can I really work as a doctor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?”

If you’ve ever thought about working abroad as a doctor, this question may have crossed your mind.

In this article, we’ll walk through the conditions and specific steps required to practice medicine in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

※This article is written by OET Bank, where we specialize in helping healthcare professionals prepare for OET and support their overseas career opportunities.

Employment for IMGs in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

To summarize, the main steps to work as a doctor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi are:

Meet the eligibility requirements
Apply for registration with the DHA (or DOH in Abu Dhabi)
Obtain a sponsor visa through a local employer

The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) is the governing body for Dubai, and the DOH (Department of Health – Abu Dhabi) serves the same role in Abu Dhabi. Most of the process follows the registration procedures of these authorities.

Eligibility Requirements

The requirements for practicing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can vary depending on where you trained.

For doctors trained in English-speaking countries (e.g., UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand):

The process is usually straightforward. Completion of a residency and board certification (or equivalent) is generally sufficient. (A PhD is not required)

For IMGs trained outside major English-speaking countries (such as Japan or other non-Western systems):

Must hold recognized specialist certification in their home country
Must have completed a PhD or equivalent research/clinical doctorate of at least two years
Must have at least three years of post-PhD clinical experience

Because both specialist training and a PhD are required, only a relatively small proportion of doctors from these countries meet the criteria.

In short, non-English-speaking IMGs face stricter academic requirements but are not asked to submit English test results, while English-speaking graduates have simpler academic pathways.

Steps to Work as a Doctor

The process is almost identical in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Here we’ll outline the DHA pathway as an example.

Reference: DHA Professional Licensing

Use the Self Assessment Tool to check eligibility
Secure an employer
Undergo Primary Source Verification (PSV)
Take the CBT Assessment (specialist exam)
Submit documents for DHA (or DOH) registration
Obtain a sponsor visa from your employer

Let’s look at each in more detail.

Step 1. Self Assessment Tool

Begin with the Self Assessment Tool to answer a set of questions and confirm eligibility.

If you meet the conditions summarized above, you should be approved.

The tool can be used multiple times, and if you’re comfortable with English, it only takes 3–5 minutes to complete.

Step 2. Securing an Employer

Before proceeding with further registration steps, you must secure a local employer in the UAE. This is because the costs of subsequent procedures are legally required to be covered by the employing organization.

In most cases, applicants will work through UAE-based healthcare recruitment agencies.

Step 3. Primary Source Verification (PSV)

Next comes PSV (Primary Source Verification), which verifies the authenticity of submitted documents and professional history.

In Dubai, this is carried out through the DataFlow Group. The process involves:

Obtaining a DHA ID (DHA Services)
Registering with DataFlow (DF Gateway)
Uploading required documents to the dashboard
Paying the processing fee

The cost varies by specialty and number of documents but typically ranges between 1,260–1,680 AED.
The review process usually takes 2–6 weeks.

Step 4. CBT Assessment

Next is the CBT Assessment, an online specialist exam.

In Dubai it is called the DHA Exam, and in Abu Dhabi the DOH Exam.
The test is administered by Prometric, the same organization that handles TOEFL.
In Japan, exams can be taken in Tokyo and Osaka.

Details:

Cost: around 1,000 AED
Passing score: 60–65% depending on specialty
Format: multiple-choice questions

For experienced specialists, this exam is not considered especially difficult.

Reference: Prometric DHA Exams

Note: Steps 3 (PSV) and 4 (CBT) can be prepared simultaneously.

Step 5. DHA (or DOH) Registration Review

After completing the PSV and CBT, upload all required documents via your online dashboard.

Processing time varies, but typically takes 2–4 weeks.

Step 6. Employment Visa from Employer

Finally, you must obtain an Employment Visa through your employer. This visa is linked to sponsorship, so employment is essential.

Once this is issued, your registration as a licensed doctor in the UAE is complete.

Important Note

Although Step 2 lists “Securing an Employer,” it is also possible to proceed with registration first and secure employment later (skipping directly to Step 5).

Generally, securing an employer before registration is more logical—if you fail to find a job, the registration effort may go to waste.

However, as of 2025, the UAE is attracting doctors from around the world. For employers, candidates who already hold registration are seen as more reliable. Since registration itself takes around three months, being pre-registered can make you more competitive in the job market.

Therefore, if you want to maximize your chances, it’s recommended to complete registration in advance.

Summary

To work as a doctor in the UAE (Dubai or Abu Dhabi), IMGs generally need:

Specialist certification in their home country
A clinical PhD program of at least two years
At least three years of post-PhD experience
Completed PSV verification
A secured employer (sponsorship)
A passing score on the CBT Assessment

While the process may appear complex, compared to other countries it is relatively fast since there is no English test requirement. This makes the UAE pathway a realistic and attractive option for many IMGs.

If you’re preparing for OET, consider exploring our practice resources at OET Bank. We’re designed not just as mock tests, but as powerful review tools that make it easier to analyze weaknesses and focus on what’s needed to pass.